Herringbone Tray

In Kandern there is one day a year where the residents are allowed to put their unwanted household items on the curb for the city to pick up and take to the dump. This day is called Sperrmüll. It happened on February 27th and I scored quite a few treasures thanks to the hubs. One of those treasures is this tray. 

Ok, so she doesn't look like a treasure with those unsightly flowers but with a little paint and tape she became one.

I have been wanting to try a herringbone design but I felt a little intimidated by the need for measuring and precise symmetry. With a small item like this tray, the task seemed less daunting. So, I gave it a go.

The taping part of this project took me about an hour and a half. I used the advice from this tutorial at Design*Sponge to help me with the process. After all the taping was done, I sealed the tape by running over it with the edge of my credit card and painting over the edges of the tape with the base color, turquoise. Once that was dry, I painted the first coat of grey and it took 2 more light coats. There was a little bleeding under the tape once it was removed. However, those spots were easily touched up with a small paintbrush.

The time spent with measuring and taping to get this symmetry was well worth it.

Also, something new for me since I've moved to Germany is using acrylic paint instead of latex. I've been testing it on a few different projects and I find that it's easy to work with. The only con with acrylic is if you apply more than 2 coats, it starts to get really bumpy.  Sanding between coats has become a must and I hate sanding. However, the pro is that the worker at the local paint shop said no protective top coat is needed on furniture as long as you prime the furniture before applying the acrylic. I'm skeptical about this tip but I'm testing it on a chair now. We will see.

Here are the Before & After shots:

Enjoy!

Miss Fancy Pants

I'd like to introduce you to Miss Fancy Pants. I found her at a local thrift shop for a decent price. She has lovely details and she's in great shape. She just needed a little paint job to rid her of that orange stain she was strutting around town in and that's exactly what she got...

a paint job. In Turquoise, of course.

I'm working on my next piece and I'm trying to venture out of my turquoise-aholism. Hoping coral will be the color of choice. Enjoy the turquoise while you can.

I used Olympic One paint but color matched Behr's Bermuda. She has about 5 coats of wipe-on poly. It was my first time using it and I was unsure how durable it would be since it was so thin. However, the finish is holding up very nicely after 5 coats.

I lightly distressed the edges, drawers, doors and legs. Then used a mahogany stain on a Q-tip to darken the wood showing through.

I cleaned up the hardware she came with and re-used it. 

You can find her for purchase in my Etsy shop.

Enjoy!

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Jaded Nightstand

Kicked to the curb. Tossed to the side. Left for dead. Dumped. This nightstand was jaded to say the least. Left at the dumpster by her previous owner, understandably so, due to her sad yellow finish chipping away at her seams. This ol' gal needed a make over. So, I gave her a frosted one in jade. This is the same color I used on my living room walls and I love it. It's called Frosted Jade (how appropriate) by Behr. However, I had it color matched to Olympic paint. It's cheaper and less fumes.

I like how it turned out and the original hardware adds a nice contrast with a tarnished aged look.

It's for sale in my Etsy shop, The Maison. Have a look!

White Distressed Coffee Table with Turquoise Accents

I've been working on this coffee table for 2 months. She was a little stubborn but so am I...

At first I painted her a bright turquoise but it was just way too much color for this table. Then I tried white. It was OK but I wanted to see if something else would make more sense. So I dry brushed the base in a greyish turquoise. I liked the technique but I hated the way it looked. So we went back to white .

 I decided to glaze her in a silver metallic and she was beginning to show some character. However, after all the coats of paint the thin carvings on the corners were looking awful. I could see drips of paint  and runs. I turned to wood filler to remedy the problem. It was my first go at wood filler and I didn't do such an awesome job. Still, I could see the outlines of the carvings and then I thought about decoupoging.

I had this swirly craft paper that I adhered to the corners with mod podge and sealed with a clear coat. It was just the right amount of color and the swirls added a little whimsy. 

The edges of the tabletop and legs got a little distressing attention and then I applied a white wash. I like white washing (watered down white paint applied and then wiped off) because it provides a muted wood tone to the distressed areas. I finished her off with a few coats of wax and spray painted the original hardware.

After two months of trying different colors and techniques, she's finished and listed in my Etsy Shop!

It's OK to make a few mistakes especially when you can paint over them.

Pretty Little Table

I've been on the look out for a pretty little table and I finally got my hands on one!

I tried to resist painting it turquoise but...

I love it's pretty little claw feet.

And the pretty scallop detail around the top of the table.

It's just so... pretty.

You can find it for sale in my Etsy shop.

Happy Weekending!

Floral Headboard and Footboard

It's finished! I had a few roadblocks with this piece but I'm happy with the finished look. Can you believe this is the same headboard and footboard I found while dumpster diving? Have a look~see. 

A Very Turquoise Headboard

Thanks to everyone who helped me pick the color.

All Things Favorite

Have you seen my all things favorite page? If not, check it out under the Faves tab or click here!

Crushing on a Lamp

Since my husband stole me away from my single life a year and half ago my only crushes (besides the one I have on my hubs) have been on home decor. I'd like to introduce you to my current crush.

Don't mind her she's just being Modest. ;)

I found her at the flea market and I basically stole her from the seller. It was the end of the day  and the seller dropped the price 40%.

Here's a negotiating tip and something to keep in mind when buying old lamps. First, ask what the price is and then always ask if the lamp works. The seller knows that it's risky for you to purchase the lamp if it doesn't work. They will almost always drop the price for you to take some of the risk out of the purchase. Also, always, Always, ALWAYS go at the end of the day on the last day. 30 minutes before they close is best. Use 20 minutes to scout out the items you want and then return to buy when there's about 10 to 5 minutes left. You will get the best price possible this way. Sellers at flea markets want to sell and they will drop their prices dramatically at the end of the day.

I liked that this old lamp had interesting glass, was in good shape, had little crystals drizzled about the leafy bobeche, and it came with a lamp shade.

So, I headed to Joann Fabrics to get inspired by some fabric for the shade. I found this floral pattern. It's something I've had my eye on for a while and this was the perfect project for it. Plus, I already have coordinating paint.

I painted all the brass parts of the lamp Norway Aqua by ColorPlace. The same color I painted my Armoire.

Then I wrapped the fabric around the shade which was a little tricky because the bottom of the shade was wider than the top. I did a little manipulating and secured it to the shade with hot glue. Also, I added a grey ribbon for trim on the top and the bottom.

Ooh La La!

Tickle Me Turquoise

I recently accepted a job where I get to work from home. Yay! My parents gave me this armoire that is actually a computer desk armoire.

Since I need to fit a home office in my one bedroom apartment and still have room for my husband this was perfect. And I can simply close the doors at the end of the day and I don't have to stare at my work while eating dinner.

All it needed was a splash of turquoise.

Topped off with some chocolate brown glaze. Voila! Home office complete!

If you want to do-it-yourself only a few items are needed:

1. Paint - Norway Aqua by ColorPlace (Wal-Mart, $10)

2. Glaze - Chocolate Brown by Valspar (Lowes, $17)

3. Paintbrush

4. Dishcloth

5. Something to paint

This is a very simple project. You don't have to have a lot of experience. Glaze is ever so easy and it gives any item that aged vintage finish we're all looking for. You simple apply it with a brush and wipe it off. If you are painting it on a flat surface like I did, then you do have to pay close attention to your brush strokes. Be sure to keep them even and going in the same direction. Also, a little goes a long way.